Renault continues the development work on the facelifted Espace, the company’s biggest MPV in the range and one of the founding members of the segment.

The French carmaker will limit the design changes on the front and rear, giving the fifth-generation Espace a more modern look to go with its flagship status in the range. New LED lighting signature for the headlights and a revised front grille, as well as revised bumpers front and rear will apparently make the cut.

This is the second time our spies spot a camouflaged Renault Espace near the Arctic Circle, only this time, the engineers seem to have way more fun with their duties than the last time. Performing well-controlled skids isn’t high on a MPV-crossover’s agenda however, with the drivers most likely testing the safety systems of the vehicle. There’s even the possibility of a new all-wheel drive option, but we still can’t tell for sure.

The changes of the 2020 Renault Espace are expected to be more important under the skin; Renault is expected to add the new “Blue dCi” diesel engines into the Espace’s range, starting with the 1.7-liter four-cylinder unit that produces 148hp (150PS).

Other options will include the also new 2.0-liter diesel that will replace the 1.6 dCi, offering the same 158hp (160PS) but adding an extra 20Nm of torque, for a total of 360Nm (265lb-ft). The same engine will be offered in the range-topping diesel version, offering 197hp (200PS) and 400Nm (295lb-ft) of torque.

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Image Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

I really hope they make it better. Previous Gen had a Great V6 and an awful gearbox, this one has a meh engine, and a not very good gearbox. This car was by far the worst experience I had behind the wheel of a modern car. It’s good on the Highway, that’s it.

StrangerGP

I’m afraid the facelift won’t fix the biggest problems of this car like poor reliability and, most of all, very unpractical interior. I know it’s not a traditional family van anymore, but it’s still shocking how small the interior is and how it lacks additional storage space.